HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) — Plum Pretty shook off a poor start and cruised to a victory in the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap on Friday at Oaklawn Park.
Twelve Twenty Two set the early pace, but Plum Pretty pulled even by the half-mile mark. The Bob Baffert-trained filly, ridden by Rafael Bejarano, brushed aside a spirited charge from Absinthe Minded to pull away for a 2 1/4-length victory in the 1 1/16 Grade I race.
The Apple Blossom featured a field of only five horses after 2011 winner and 2011 Horse of the Year Havre de Grace pulled out after she was assigned the top weight of 123 pounds.
Plum Pretty finished with a time of 1:42.64 and returned $3, $2.80 and $2.10. Absinthe Minded was scond and paid $3.80 and $2.20, followed by Tiz Miz Sue in third at $2.10.
